DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ'S TURN TO BE SKIPPED.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Lefty Pete Schourek was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds in 1994 on the recommendation of manager Davey Johnson, who prescribed extensive work to cure his control problems and his drop in velocity.

Johnson is now with the Dodgers, and he said Thursday that while he's skipping lefty Carlos Perez's spot in the rotation, he's hoping for a similar turnaround from Perez.

``They got me finishing my pitches out in front more, almost overextending my follow-through,'' said Schourek, now a reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates. ``I wasn't getting anybody out at the time. I believed anything he said was going to help me because nothing was working.''

Schourek said he built up arm strength by long-tossing, which increased his velocity. The next year he went 18-7 with a 3.22 ERA.

Johnson said he wants Perez to do the same type of side work, so he's nixed his Tuesday start against San Diego. The Dodgers will go with four starters - including Darren Dreifort on Saturday - because of Monday's off-day.

Of course, the Dodgers don't have a year to wait for Perez to regain his form. He's 2-8 with a National League-worst 7.38 ERA. Perez was pulled after 3-1/3 innings in his start Wednesday, than bashed a water cooler repeatedly with a bat in frustration.

``I wish he'd attack the hitters like he attacked the water cooler,'' Johnson said. ``I need him to do a lot of work, doing some extra work, throwing a lot. I need him, and I need him to get it right.''

Johnson said he wasn't sure whether he'd use Perez out of the bullpen, instead saying it would depend on how Perez progressed during his side work. Johnson also didn't say whether Perez would start June 26 at San Francisco.

``As soon as I get my mechanics back I'm going to get my fastball back,'' Perez said. ``I was watching video from last year and my fastball and my mechanics were different. It's not going to be forever. Trust me. I'll get it back.''

The Hundley forecast: The last three days backup catcher Todd Hundley and bullpen coach Rick Dempsey have been out on the field early working on throwing drills, and Dempsey said Hundley could be ready to take back the No. 1 catching duties in less than two weeks.

``I would guess from 10 days to two weeks he should be at the top of his throwing game,'' said Dempsey, a former major-league catcher. ``He throws 30 to 40 throws and is genuinely fatigued now.''

Johnson replaced Hundley with Angel Pena on Tuesday. Hundley, who's thrown out seven of 60 would-be base stealers, is practicing throws out of the catching position to second and third base.

``This forces him to do something. . . that he couldn't do,'' Dempsey said. ``He needed that time in spring training to build up his endurance. We have to bring it down to build it back. He's having to retrain himself to be short and quick with his throws.''

F.Y.I.: Because reliever Jamie Arnold threw 40 pitches in relief Wednesday, Johnson said Dreifort will start Saturday in his normal place instead of Arnold. . . . Pirates manager Gene Lamont spends his pregame strapped in a wheelchair because of intense pain in his back, which he strained recently. Lamont's been on the bench but hasn't been making trips to the mound. Bench coach Rick Renick is the designated arguer in case there's a call with which the Pirates don't agree. . . . Outfielder Brent Cookson, a Ventura College and Long Beach State product, cleared waivers and returned to Triple-A Albuquerque. . . . Pitching coach Claude Osteen returned to the Dodgers after attending the funeral of his mother in Nashville, Tenn.

DODGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA

Time: 7:10 p.m., at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Channel 5; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330 Spanish)

Matchup: The teams open a three-game series with what should be a good pitching matchup between Dodgers righty Ismael Valdes (5-5, 3.73 ERA) and Phillies right-hander Curt Schilling (8-4, 3.39). Valdes has lost three consecutive decisions, though he hasn't been given much run support. Saturday - Dodgers RHP Darren Dreifort (5-5. 6.42) vs. Phillies RHP Robert Person (0-0, 8.62); Sunday - Dodgers RHP Kevin Brown (7-4, 3.07) vs. Phillies RHP Chad Ogea (3-5, 5.16).

- Brian Dohn

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Box: DODGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA (See text)